LIBERTY, Mo.—When a church consultant recommended to Second Baptist Church in Liberty, Mo., that its senior minister needed an additional venue—other than the pulpit—to connect to its members, the church's media minister pushed Pastor Jason Edwards to consider a video…
So your church is on Facebook. What now?
While about half of Protestant churches have Facebook pages, many essentially use it as a bulletin board, missing out on the potential to nurture relationships with congregants and its community. "It's OK for a church to use Facebook like a…
Candidate says faith, politics mix in public arena
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Judy Baker could push her faith as a cornerstone as a candidate for public office. After all, in addition to earning a master's degree in healthcare administration at the University of Missouri, she also holds a master of…
Shepherd’s Clinic provides service to working poor
BALTIMORE (ABP) — It’s Tuesday afternoon in what at first looks like a typical doctor’s office. Phones are ringing and copiers beeping. Then there is something different: laughter. Employees and patients are really enjoying themselves. Welcome to Shepherd’s Clinic, a…
The contraception mandate fight
By David Gushee Congress passed the Affordable Care Act in 2010 over the strenuous objections of the Republican opposition (which continues to view it as illegitimate and hopes to see it struck down very soon). In an effort to advance…
Expert: Insurance system causes church-state tangle
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (ABP) — A Baptist church-state scholar says religious liberty concerns about new coverage mandates come with the territory in America’s employer-based health insurance system. Melissa Rogers, director of the Center for Religion and Public Affairs at Wake Forest…
Baptists in N.C. square off over gay marriage
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (ABP) — Baptists are lining up on opposing sides of an upcoming ballot referendum to amend North Carolina’s constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman. The Baptist State Convention of North Carolina is on…
White to black — or black to white
By Bob Burroughs It is rare to go from white to black or black to white without passing through some shades of gray. Experience and common sense should teach us that sudden and drastic changes in everyday living, daily schedules…
Racial reconciliation 2012
By David Gushee On Tuesday, McAfee School of Theology hosted a sizable contingent of African-American leaders on our Atlanta campus. Gerald Durley, senior pastor at Providence Missionary Baptist Church in southwest Atlanta, preached in chapel. The sermon began with his…